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Grammar and Composition
Grammar Reteaching
Grade 6
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce material contained herein on the condition that such material bereproduced only for classroom use; and be provided to students, teachers, and familieswithout charge; and be used solely in conjunction with Writer’s Choice. Any otherreproduction, for use or sale,is prohibited without written permission of the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America.
Send all inquiries to:Glencoe/McGraw-Hill8787 Orion PlaceColumbus,Ohio 43240
ISBN 0-07-823366-6
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 045 04 03 02 01 00
ii
Subjects, Predicates, and Sentences8.1 Kinds of Sentences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18.2 Sentences and Sentence Fragments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28.3 Subjects and Predicates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.4 Finding Subjects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.5 Compound Subjects and Compound Predicates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58.6 Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Nouns9.1 Common and Proper Nouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79.2 Singular and Plural Nouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89.3 Possessive Nouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Verbs10.1 Action Verbs and Direct Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1010.2 Indirect Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1110.3 Linking Verbs and Predicate Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1210.4 Present, Past, and Future Tenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1310.5 Main Verbs and Helping Verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1410.6 Present and Past Progressive Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1510.7 Perfect Tenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1610.8–9 Irregular Verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Pronouns11.1 Personal Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1811.2 Using Pronouns Correctly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1911.3 Pronouns and Antecedents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2011.4 Possessive Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Adjectives12.1 Adjectives and Proper Adjectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2212.2 Articles and Demonstratives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2312.3 Adjectives That Compare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Adverbs13.1 Adverbs Modifying Verbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2513.2 Adverbs Modifying Adjectives and Adverbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2613.4 Telling Adjectives and Adverbs Apart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2713.5 Avoiding Double Negatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Unit 13
Unit 12
Unit 11
Unit 10
Unit 9
Unit 8
iii
Contents
Prepositions, Conjunctions, and Interjections14.1 Prepositions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2914.2 Prepositional Phrases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3014.3 Pronouns After Prepositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3114.6 Conjunctions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3214.7 Interjections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Subject-Verb Agreement15.1 Making Subjects and Verbs Agree. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3415.2 Problems with Locating the Subject . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3515.3 Agreement with Compound Subjects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Glossary of Special Usage Problems16.1–2 Using Troublesome Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Capitalization18.1 Capitalizing Sentences, Quotations, and Salutations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3818.2 Capitalizing Names and Titles of People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3918.3 Capitalizing Names of Places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4018.4 Capitalizing Other Proper Nouns and Adjectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Punctuation19.1 Using the Period and Other End Marks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4219.2 Using Commas I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4319.3 Using Commas II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4419.4 Using Commas III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4519.5 Using Semicolons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4619.5 Using Colons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4719.6 Using Quotation Marks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4819.6 Using Quotation Marks and Italics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4919.7 Using Apostrophes and Hyphens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5019.8 Using Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5119.9 Writing Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Unit 19
Unit 18
Unit 16
Unit 15
Unit 14
Contents
iv
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 8 1
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Write whether each of the following sentences is declarative, interrogative, exclamatory,or imperative.
Last summer we visited the Grand Canyon. declarative
__________________________ 1. Have you ever seen the Grand Canyon?
__________________________ 2. How incredible that place is!
__________________________ 3. The forces of wind, water, heat, and pressurecreated huge ruts in the rock and dirt.
__________________________ 4. What was the oldest fossil ever found in theGrand Canyon?
__________________________ 5. Keep reading to find out.
__________________________ 6. The oldest fossil uncovered was a billion-year-old primitive sea plant.
__________________________ 7. How could the fossil of a sea plant be discov-ered in the desert?
__________________________ 8. Didn’t you know the area was once completelycovered with water?
__________________________ 9. How far it is from one side of the canyon to theother!
__________________________ 10. The canyon’s width varies from four miles tofifteen miles from rim to rim.
Grammar Reteaching
8.1 Kinds of Sentences
A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. All sentences begin witha capital letter and end with a punctuation mark. There are four different kinds of sentences.A declarative sentence makes a statement. It ends with a period. An interrogative sen-tence asks a question. It ends with a question mark. An exclamatory sentence expressesstrong feeling. It ends with an exclamation point. An imperative sentence gives a commandor makes a request. It ends with a period.
Key Information
Directions
Read each sentence fragment, and name the part of the sentence—either subject orpredicate—that is missing.
creates a rainbow of colors subject
1. Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. ____________________________________________
2. Became a national park in 1930. _____________________________________________
3. Can hike down into the cavern. ______________________________________________
4. Went by high-speed elevator. ________________________________________________
5. One of the most impressive spots. ____________________________________________
6. The Big Room’s ceiling. ____________________________________________________
7. Is fourteen acres in size. ____________________________________________________
8. Spreads eight hundred feet below the surface.___________________________________
9. Hundreds of thousands of bats.______________________________________________
10. Grow up from the floors in tall spires._________________________________________
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
Sentences and Sentence Fragments8.2
2 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 8
Every sentence has a subject and a predi-cate. The subject tells who or what thesentence is about. The predicate tells whatthe subject does or has. It may tell what thesubject is or is like.
The light [subject] controls the flow oftraffic [predicate].
A sentence fragment is a group of wordsthat does not express a complete thought.
It may be missing a subject, a predicate, orboth.
Is made of nylon. [lacks a subject]That backpack. [lacks a predicate]Along the winding path. [lacks both]
To correct a sentence fragment, determinewhich part is missing. Then write a newsubject or predicate that you can add to thefragment to make it a sentence.
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 8 3
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Read the following sentences. Each sentence has a line dividing the complete subjectand the complete predicate. In the space provided, write the simple subject and thesimple predicate for each sentence.
A very large cat / lives near here. cat / lives
1. The new principal / addressed the class this morning. ____________________________
2. A huge boulder / tumbled down the cliff. ______________________________________
3. A friend of yours / is on the phone.___________________________________________
4. A big blue balloon / floated in the sky._________________________________________
5. Clara’s mother / left her keys on the counter. ___________________________________
6. The boys on the football team / asked for more practice time. ______________________
7. Three sixth-graders / represent the school at city council meetings.__________________
8. The soft leather jacket / is mine. _____________________________________________
9. Most of the fish / are guppies. _______________________________________________
10. A lady down the street / found your kitten._____________________________________
Grammar Reteaching
8.3 Subjects and Predicates
The complete subject includes all the words in the subject part of the sentence. The com-plete predicate includes all the words in the predicate part of the sentence. The simplesubject is the main word or group of words in the subject part of the sentence. It is usually anoun or a pronoun. The simple predicate is the main word or group of words in the predi-cate part of the sentence. It is a verb.
People from hundreds of miles away / bring their hiking shoes and tents.
Key Information
4 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 8
Directions
Rewrite each sentence so that the subject comes first.
Do the Everglades cover most of southern Florida?
The Everglades do cover most of southern Florida.
1. Can the people in the back row see the screen? __________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. Into the diner went the driver of the red truck.__________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. Over the fence leaped a white-tailed deer. ______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
4. Did you hear my alarm clock? _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
5. In the cafeteria stand the boxes with the new tables. ______________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
6. Is the water in the Everglades fresh water?______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
7. Are those snakes really dangerous?____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
8. In the warm swamps live many interesting animals. ______________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
8.4 Finding Subjects
In most sentences, the subject comesbefore the predicate.
I traveled to the Everglades.
Most questions begin with part of the pred-icate, followed by the subject, and then therest of the predicate.
May we rent a boat?
If you have trouble finding the subject in aquestion, turn the question into a state-ment. The subject will usually come first.
We may rent a boat.
In statements with inverted word order, thepredicate comes before the subject.
Out of the swamp crawled analligator.
To identify the subject, change the order ofthe words.
An alligator crawled out of theswamp.
Key InformationKey Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 8 5
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Underline each compound subject or compound predicate in the following sentences.A sentence may contain a compound subject, a compound predicate, or both.
Nestor and Sumio went to the movies.
1. Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons are national parks.
2. Both parks have forests and shelter the same animals.
3. Pelicans, eagles, elk, and moose roam the Grand Tetons.
4. Visitors walk on trails or drive through the park.
5. Hot springs and geysers attract thousands of tourists each year.
6. Old Faithful and Riverside Geyser erupt regularly and spray water.
7. The bears and other animals stay in the forests and look for food.
8. Miles of hiking trails offer spectacular views and provide hours of nature study.
9. My grandparents and I went to the park and took a full picnic basket.
10. No bears or other animals approached us that day.
Grammar Reteaching
8.5 Compound Subjects and Compound Predicates
A compound subject is two or more sim-ple subjects that have the same predicate.They are joined by and, or, or but.
My sister and I want to go toYellowstone.
A compound predicate is two or moresimple predicates, or verbs, that have thesame subject.
We go to the park and hike.
Sometimes a simple sentence has both acompound subject and a compound predi-cate.
My grandmother and grandfather /travel by van and sleep in it at night.
Key Information
6 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 8
Directions
Write whether each sentence is simple, compound, or complex.
James wants to hike, and I want to take more photos. compound
1. Glaciers smoothed the valley floor, and they melted to form a lake.__________________
2. A hike and a mule ride are two ways to see the park. _____________________________
3. Fifteen hundred trees and plants live in the park. ________________________________
4. El Capitan is a mountain of granite, and it rises 3,600 feet above the MercedRiver.___________________________________________________________________
5. Yosemite Falls has a spectacular 2,425-foot drop. ________________________________
6. Bird watchers can see more than two hundred different species of birds when they visitYosemite.________________________________________________________________
7. Rugged mountains, clear lakes, and rushing streams attract many tourists and outdoorenthusiasts. ______________________________________________________________
8. Yosemite and Hetch Hetchy are two beautiful valleys inside the park. ________________
9. Cloud’s Rest is the highest point in Yosemite Valley, and it rises nearly 10,000 feet.____________________________________________________________________
10. Congress established Yosemite National Park in 1890, but the original park did not include Mariposa Grove or Yosemite Valley. ____________________________________
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
8.6 Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences
A simple sentence has one subject and one predicate. It may have a compound subject, acompound predicate, or both.
Yosemite National Park / is in California.My friend and I / visited the park and stayed a week.
A compound sentence consists of two or more simple sentences (main clauses) joined by acomma and and, but, or or. A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a predicate.
We / enjoyed our vacation, and we / took plenty of photographs.A complex sentence is a sentence that has one main clause and one or more subordinateclauses.
We decided to visit Yosemite when we heard about its beautiful scenery.
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 9 7
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Underline each common noun once and each proper noun twice.
The United States has an interesting history.
1. Our country was still a colony of England.
2. A road ran between Boston and New Bedford.
3. Stagecoaches traveled this bumpy road.
4. The drivers stopped at an inn to pay the toll.
5. The inn became known as the Toll House Inn.
6. Ruth and Kenneth Wakefield bought the Toll House Inn.
7. They opened a restaurant there.
8. Mrs. Wakefield had a great idea; she created cookies with chunks of chocolate.
9. She named her cookies Toll House.
10. Today these cookies give pleasure to people around the world.
Grammar Reteaching
9.1 Common and Proper Nouns
A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. A common noun names anyperson, place, thing, or idea. A proper noun names a specific person, place, thing, or idea.A proper noun begins with a capital letter. If there is more than one word in the propernoun, the first word and all other important words are capitalized.
Common nouns: lake, mayor, book, documentProper nouns: Lake Erie, Susan Brown, Charlotte’s Web, Bill of Rights
Key Information
8 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 9
Directions
Write the plural form of each singular noun in the space provided.
party parties
1. fireplace_________________________ 2. reef_____________________________
3. mouse __________________________ 4. tray_____________________________
5. beach___________________________ 6. patio____________________________
7. bass ____________________________ 8. calf _____________________________
9. cheese __________________________ 10. match___________________________
11. potato __________________________ 12. wife ____________________________
13. cargo ___________________________ 14. birch____________________________
15. strawberry_______________________ 16. key _____________________________
17. kiss ____________________________ 18. assembly ________________________
19. alto ____________________________ 20. chair____________________________
21. rodeo___________________________ 22. lunch ___________________________
23. jury ____________________________ 24. woman__________________________
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
9.2 Singular and Plural Nouns
A singular noun names one person, place, thing, or idea. A plural noun names more thanone person, place, thing, or idea. To form the plural of most nouns, simply add -s or -es. Toform the plural of nouns that end with a consonant and -y, change the -y to -i and add -es(sky—skies). For the plural of nouns ending in -o, add -s or -es (pianos, tomatoes). Consult adictionary if you are not sure. For the plural of nouns ending with -f or -fe, add -s or changethe -f to -v and add -es (roofs, loaves). Again, consult a dictionary if you are not sure. Someirregular nouns totally change their spelling to form the plural (foot, feet). Others keep thesame spelling (deer, deer).
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 9 9
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Read the following sentences. Decide whether the underlined words are possessives.Write yes or no in the space provided. If the answer is yes, write whether the possessivenoun is singular or plural.
The factory’s workers were very busy. Yes, singular
The factory’s going to open six days a week. No
1. Levi Strauss’s life is an American success story. __________________________________
2. He headed west when he heard of California’s gold rush. __________________________
3. He saw that men’s pants weren’t strong enough for gold mining. ____________________
4. He asked, “Who’s going to want to wear these thin pants?”_________________________
5. He turned the canvas he had into prospectors’ pants._____________________________
6. The miners’ lives were changed after that. ______________________________________
7. Jeans today are made in factories around the world.______________________________
8. It’s hard to imagine teenagers without blue jeans.________________________________
9. Advertisers’ promotions show fashionable teens in jeans._____________________
10. Nobody’s wardrobe is complete without a pair of jeans.______________________
Grammar Reteaching
9.3 Possessive Nouns
A possessive noun tells who or what has or owns something. Plural nouns and singularnouns can be possessive.
Most singular nouns form the possessive by adding an apostrophe and s (‘s).
Bob’s house James’s brother
Plural nouns ending in -s add an apostrophe(‘).
the girls’ tent
Plural nouns not ending in -s add an apostrophe and s(‘s).
the children’s library
Key Information
10 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 10
Directions
Change each sentence into a question that asks whom? or what? after the verb. Theanswer is the direct object.
My uncles drive two large tractors on the farm.
My uncles drive what? tractors
1. Walruses follow the currents in arctic oceans. ___________________________________
Question: _______________________________________________________________
Direct object: ____________________________________________________________
2. Both males and females have large ivory tusks. __________________________________
Question: _______________________________________________________________
Direct object: ____________________________________________________________
3. Walruses dig clams with their tusks. __________________________________________
Question: _______________________________________________________________
Direct object: ____________________________________________________________
4. Walruses like cold weather.__________________________________________________
Question: _______________________________________________________________
Direct object: ____________________________________________________________
5. They ride flat chunks of ice._________________________________________________
Question: _______________________________________________________________
Direct object: ____________________________________________________________
6. Thick layers of fat insulate walruses from the cold._______________________________
Question: _______________________________________________________________
Direct object: ____________________________________________________________
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
10.1 Action Verbs and Direct Objects
All verbs can be grouped as action verbs or linking verbs. Action verbs tell what someone orsomething does. Action verbs can be divided into two groups—transitive and intransitive.Transitive verbs take direct objects. A direct object is a noun that receives the action ofthe verb. It answers the question whom? or what? after an action verb.
A chimpanzee enjoys company.
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 10 11
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Identify the indirect objects in these sentences. Rewrite each sentence, using to or forbefore the indirect object and placing it after the direct object. The direct object isunderlined.
Dolphins gave the fish a scare.
indirect object: fish Dolphins gave a scare to the fish.
1. The trainer at the water park threw the dolphin a ball. ____________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. The dolphin tossed the trainer the ball. ________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. One dolphin flipped the trainer a hoop. _______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
4. Sometimes dolphins give a ship’s crew a show at sea. _____________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
5. They show sailors dives and flips. ____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
6. Sailors throw the dolphins food. _____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
7. We bought the dolphins treats. ______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
8. Dolphins give people an understanding of their world. ___________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Grammar Reteaching
10.2 Indirect Objects
Action verbs with direct objects may also have indirect objects. Unlike the direct object,which answers the question whom? or what?, the indirect object tells to whom or to whator for whom or for what the verb’s action was done.
The trainer tossed the dolphin a fish.
To determine whether a word is an indirect object, try adding the word to or for before theindirect object and placing it after the direct object: The trainer tossed a fish to the dolphin.If the sentence still makes sense, the word is an indirect object.
Key Information
12 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 10
Directions
Tell whether the underlined verb in each sentence is an action verb or a linking verb bywriting action or linking in the space provided. If the verb is a linking verb, writewhether it is followed by a predicate noun or a predicate adjective.
Red is my favorite color.
linking—predicate noun
1. Manatees are mermaids.____________________________________________________
2. At least ancient sailors thought so.____________________________________________
3. Manatees look strange up close.______________________________________________
4. Their eyes seem tiny._______________________________________________________
5. Their whiskered lips appear swollen. __________________________________________
6. Manatees live in warm water. ________________________________________________
7. They are very slow. ________________________________________________________
8. Power boats sometimes hit the manatees. ______________________________________
9. Manatees are not dangerous. ________________________________________________
10. They eat only grass. _______________________________________________________
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
10.3 Linking Verbs and Predicate Words
Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence with a noun or adjective in the predicate. Apredicate noun tells what the subject is. A predicate adjective describes the subject.
The manatee is a strange animal.The manatee appears clumsy.
The most common linking verbs are the forms of be, such as am, is, are, was , and were.Other common linking verbs include become, seem, appear, feel, taste, grow, and look.
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 10 13
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Write whether the underlined verb is in the present, past, or future tense.
I like to watch animals. present
1. Some animals live in faraway places. __________________________________________
2. Maybe I will visit them someday. _____________________________________________
3. I watch animals in my own neighborhood. _____________________________________
4. I especially enjoy rabbits, chipmunks, and squirrels. ______________________________
5. Yesterday I observed a raccoon. ______________________________________________
6. The raccoon sneaked around the corner of the garage.____________________________
7. It jumped into the garbage can. ______________________________________________
8. Dad will put a heavy rock on the lid of the garbage can.___________________________
9. That trick worked for our neighbor. __________________________________________
10. My brother feeds the birds. _________________________________________________
11. He placed a birdfeeder on a pole in the backyard.________________________________
12. We watch cardinals, sparrows, and woodpeckers. ________________________________
13. Next summer he will build a house for martins. _________________________________
14. My mother enjoys hummingbirds the most. ____________________________________
15. My family will soon hike on the nature trail at the park. __________________________
Grammar Reteaching
10.4 Present, Past, and Future Tenses
The tense of the verb tells when an action takes place. The present tense of a verb namesan action that happens regularly. It is also used to express a general truth. The past tense ofa verb tells about something that has already happened. The future tense of a verb tellsabout something that will happen in the future.
Base form Present tense Past tense Future tense
jump I jump. I jumped. I shall jump.
He jumps. He jumped. He will jump.
Key Information
14 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 10
Directions
In each sentence, the verb phrase is underlined. Draw a second line under the mainverb, and write whether it is a present participle or a past participle.
We are beginning to understand the problem. present participle
1. Many species of animals are disappearing. _____________________________________
2. In the past, species have disappeared at the rate of one a year. ______________________
3. Now they are vanishing at the rate of one a day. _________________________________
4. People have changed the environment. ________________________________________
5. We have chopped forests down.______________________________________________
6. We have paved animal habitats. ______________________________________________
7. Years ago passenger pigeons were flying in huge flocks across the sky. ________________
8. Buffalo herds were roaming the plains. ________________________________________
9. Now all the passenger pigeons have died. ______________________________________
10. We are visiting buffalo herds in zoos.__________________________________________
11. Some animals are protected by law. ___________________________________________
12. They are called “endangered species.” _________________________________________
13. Park rangers are patrolling the wildlife preserves. ________________________________
14. My class has adopted a local park. ____________________________________________
15. We are keeping the park clean for animals and humans.___________________________
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
10.5 Main Verbs and Helping Verbs
All verbs have four principal parts: base form, present participle, past form, and pastparticiple.
Principal parts Example Verb phrase
base form play
present participle playing is playing
past form played
past participle played has played
Participle forms join with helping verbs to form verb phrases. The most common helpingverbs are the forms of be and have. The forms of be are often used with the present partici-ple. The forms of have are often used with the past participle.
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 10 15
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Write whether the underlined verb form is in the present progressive form or the pastprogressive form.
I was waiting to see the otters. past progressive
1. Yesterday I was watching my friends with their sleds. _____________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. They were coasting down the hill. ____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. Now I am watching the otters. _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
4. They are playing together, too. _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
5. They are sliding down the bank of the river. ____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
6. At the bottom, they are making a big splash.____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
7. Yesterday my friend Mark was racing his brother to the top of the hill. _______________
_______________________________________________________________________
8. They were pulling heavy sleds behind them. ____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
9. The otters are swimming in the cold water. _____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
10. They are hunting for fish, frogs, and crayfish. ___________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Grammar Reteaching
10.6 Present and Past Progressive Forms
The present progressive form of a verb names an action that is continuing to happen inthe present time. The past progressive form names an action that was continuing in thepast. To make present progressive verb forms, use the helping verbs am, is, and are alongwith the present participle. To make past progressive verb forms, use the helping verbs wasand were along with the present participle.
Key Information
16 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 10
Directions
Write whether the underlined verb or verb phrase is present, past, present perfect, orpast perfect.
Bears live in the United States. present
1. Forest lands contain both grizzly bears and black bears.___________________________
2. Of the two, grizzly bears have earned the worse reputation. ________________________
3. For a long time, lumberjacks have told this story about the bears. ___________________
4. A tenderfoot had spotted a bear in the woods. __________________________________
5. He had climbed a tree in a hurry._____________________________________________
6. The bear had sat down at the bottom of the tree to wait. __________________________
7. Finally, an old woodsman came along. ________________________________________
8. He had chased the bear away.________________________________________________
9. Luckily, the bear had been a brown bear. _______________________________________
10. Angry grizzlies have climbed up trees after their prey. ____________________________
11. Have you ever seen a bear at the zoo? _________________________________________
12. I had visited the zoo twice before seeing a polar bear. _____________________________
13. Polar bears swim in their pools at the zoo. _____________________________________
14. They have attracted crowds of visitors. ________________________________________
15. Their white fur hides polar bears in the snow of the Arctic. ________________________
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
10.7 Perfect Tenses
Perfect tense verbs all use a form of the helping verb have. The present perfect tense canshow action that happened at an indefinite time in the past or action that began in the pastand is still happening. The past perfect tense tells about something that happened beforeanother action in the past.
To form the present perfect tense, use the helping verb have or has with the past participleform of the main verb. To form the past perfect tense, use the helping verb had with thepast participle form of the main verb.
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 10 17
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Write each sentence. Use the past tense form or the past participle form of the verb inparentheses.
I (make) my career choice yesterday. I made my career choice yesterday.
1. Yesterday two forest rangers (speak) at our school. _______________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. After the speech, I (know) my career plans._____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. One ranger (draw) a map of her forest preserve._________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
4. She has (ride) a horse into the deep forest. _____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
5. Once she (bring) help to a lost camper. ________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
6. He had (fall) in a wooded ravine._____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
7. This ranger has (see) some unusual animals.____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
8. The rangers have (teach) us about the importance of wildlife.
_______________________________________________________________________
Grammar Reteaching
10.8–9 Irregular Verbs
Most verbs form their past and past participle forms by adding -ed to the base form.
Juan stayed late for the meeting. (past)Juan has stayed late twice this week. (past participle)
Irregular verbs do not form their past and past participle forms in the usual way, but someirregular verbs follow patterns. Some verbs just change one vowel. Some use the same formfor both the past and past participle forms. Other irregular verbs form their past participle byadding -n or -en. Words that end in -ow usually have past forms that end in -ew and pastparticiple forms that end in -own. Some irregular verbs use the base form all the time.
I saw that movie. I have seen that movie.We sang the song you requested. We have sung the song you requested.They threw the tea into the bay. They have thrown the tea into the bay.The mayor cut the ribbon. The mayor has cut the ribbon.
Key Information
18 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 11
Directions
Read each pair of sentences. Then write subject or object to tell how each underlinedpronoun is used.
We studied the skin in science class today.
We studied it in science class today. object
1. Live cells under the top layer replace the ones that fall off.
They replace the ones that fall off. ____________________________________________
2. The skin protects the body.
The skin protects it. _______________________________________________________
3. The pigment in skin keeps out some of the sun’s harmful rays.
The pigment in skin keeps some of them out.___________________________________
4. Mrs. Smith says pigment also colors the skin.
She says pigment also colors the skin. _________________________________________
5. Pigment makes Mrs. Smith a pretty shade of brown.
Pigment makes her a pretty shade of brown.____________________________________
6. Pigment also gives Bill his freckles.
Pigment also gives him his freckles.___________________________________________
7. Sometimes Bill wishes the freckle pigment would go away.
Sometimes he wishes the freckle pigment would go away. _________________________
8. The skin is really a very important organ.
It is really a very important organ.____________________________________________
9. Do you and Cherie know what is the body’s largest organ?
Do you know what is the body’s largest organ? __________________________________
10. The largest organ is the skin.
It is the skin._____________________________________________________________
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
11.1 Personal Pronouns
A pronoun is a word that takes the place of one or more nouns, along with all the wordsthat describe them. When pronouns refer to people or things, they are called personal pro-nouns.
Different pronouns have different uses. The subject pronouns—I, you, he, she, it, we, andthey—can be used as subjects of sentences. Object pronouns can be used as direct andindirect objects. The object pronouns are me, you, him, her, it, us, and them. Notice that twopronouns, it and you, are used as both subjects and objects.
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 11 19
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Underline the correct pronoun in parentheses. Then tell whether each is used as a sub-ject or an object.
Jerry and (I, me) learned something new today. subject
1. (We, Us) did an experiment in science class. ____________________________________
2. The experiment showed (we, us) how to fool our senses. __________________________
3. The experiment surprised (I, me).____________________________________________
4. (I, Me) put one hand into a bowl of hot water and the other into a bowl of cold water. ________________________________________________________
5. Then I shoved (they, them) both into lukewarm water.____________________________
6. (They, them) each felt different in the dish of lukewarm water. _____________________
7. The experiment surprised (he, him) too, Jerry said. ______________________________
8. (He, Him) felt warm water with one hand and cold water with the other!_____________
9. Jerry and (I, me) decided to write a report about what causes that reaction. ___________
10. My dad drove my friend and (I, me) to the library._______________________________
Grammar Reteaching
11.2 Using Pronouns Correctly
Don’t confuse subject and object pronouns. Remember that subject pronouns are used assubjects of sentences. Object pronouns are used as direct and indirect objects of verbs. Besure to use subject pronouns in compound subjects and object pronouns in compoundobjects. Test the pronoun you choose by saying the sentence without the other part of thecompound subject or object. Does your pronoun sound correct?
When the pronoun I or me is used in a compound subject or object, I or me should be last.
Key Information
20 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 11
Directions
In the space provided, supply the correct pronoun for each underlined antecedent.
My classmates and I were studying the brain in science class. We learned some interestingnew information.
1. The brain has three major parts. _____ are the cerebrum, the cerebellum and themedulla.
2. The cerebrum is largest. _____ controls conscious acts.
3. The teacher asked Aiko. “What part of the brain do _____ use to think?”
4. Then the teacher tossed a foam rubber ball to Karen. _____ caught it.
5. “Those were voluntary muscle movements,” Mrs. Arnett said. “The cerebrum con-trols _____.”
6. We don’t need to think about involuntary actions. _____ are controlled by themedulla.
7. A baseball game shows all types of actions. When the pitcher breathes, _____ isperforming involuntary action.
8. The batter thinks fast and uses voluntary movements when someone pitches_____ a curve ball.
9. When base runners trip, voluntary movements, such as reaching out, help _____.
10. You and I depend on the signals our brains give _____.
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
11.3 Pronouns and Antecedents
The noun a pronoun refers to is called the pronoun’s antecedent. Make sure the pronounsyou use agree with their antecedents in number (singular and plural) and gender (mascu-line, feminine, or neuter). Whenever you use a pronoun, make sure the antecedent is clear.
Key InformationKey Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 11 21
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Underline the correct possessive pronoun in each sentence.
Hallie was relieved when we found (her, hers) math book.
1. Charles wanted to raise money for (his, her) mother’s birthday gift.
2. It was (its, his) idea to have a pet show.
3. He called his uncle Robert and aunt Lucy to see if he could use (her, their) back-yard.
4. (Its, It’s) fence made the yard a good place to hold a pet show.
5. Charles’s friend Melinda brought a bird. (Her, Its) bird did a trick.
6. One dog is named Lady. (Her, Hers) behavior was very good.
7. If there had been a prize for good behavior, Lady and I would have won it. Itwould have been (our, ours).
8. The prize for slowest animal was Kema’s and her pet turtle’s. The prize was (their,theirs).
9. All the owners paid entry fees for (their, theirs) pets.
10. Even after Charles paid for prizes, (his, your) pockets were full.
Grammar Reteaching
11.4 Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns replace possessive nouns, which show who or what has or owns something.There are two kinds of possessive pronouns. The possessive pronouns used before nouns are my, your,her, his, its, our, and their. The possessive pronouns used by themselves are mine, yours, hers, his, its,ours, and theirs.
Key Information
Directions
Circle the noun or pronoun modified by the underlined adjective. Then write whetherthe adjective tells what kind, how many, or which one.
The sand was warm under our feet.The sand was warm under our feet. what kind
1. We ate Chinese food for dinner.______________________________________________
2. The cold wind blew snow across the field.______________________________________
3. Sixteen million newcomers have entered the United States through the Ellis IslandImmigration Center._______________________________________________________
4. That painting was done by Vincent van Gogh. __________________________________
5. Many people ride the subway to work. ________________________________________
6. My sneakers were old.______________________________________________________
7. Dozens of corporations are located in one skyscraper_____________________________
8. Janine was impressed by those photographs.____________________________________
9. We visited two galleries today. _______________________________________________
10. We read Scandinavian folktales.______________________________________________
22 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 12
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
12.1 Adjectives and Proper Adjectives
An adjective is a word that describes a noun or a pronoun. Adjectives tell what kind, howmany, or which one.
Usually adjectives come before the nouns they describe.
Yellow flowers are blooming.
When an adjective comes after a linking verb, it is called a predicate adjective.
The flowers are yellow.
Proper adjectives are formed from proper nouns and should be capitalized.
The Russian travelers enjoyed their visit.
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 12 23
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
In the space provided, write whether the underlined word is a demonstrative adjectiveor a demonstrative pronoun.
This vase is quite elegant.
demonstrative adjective
1. This soil is rich and fertile._____________________________________________
2. We grew these in our garden.___________________________________________
3. That photograph of green peppers was taken by Edward Weston. ______________
4. Those look like purple jewels. __________________________________________
5. We bought these from the farmer’s market. _______________________________
6. That farm grows unusual vegetables like endive.____________________________
7. We made pie with those apples._________________________________________
8. Those tasted very sweet._______________________________________________
9. This land was once covered by glaciers.___________________________________
10. That was a huge pumpkin._____________________________________________
Grammar Reteaching
12.2 Articles and Demonstratives
Demonstrative adjectives point out something. This, that, these, and those are demonstra-tive adjectives when they come before a noun.
These pickles are too sour.
When the words this, that, these, and those stand alone, they are demonstrative pro-nouns because they take the place of a noun.
I’ll take those.
This and these refer to something close to you; that and those refer to something far fromyou.
Key Information
24 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 12
Directions
Underline the comparative or the superlative form of the adjective in parentheses.
Of the two bands, that one is (more loud, louder).
Of the two bands, that one is (more loud, louder).
1. California has some of the (biggest, bigger) trees in the world.
2. Its redwood trees are (taller, tallest) than some skyscrapers.
3. The California condor is one of the (rarer, rarest) birds in the world.
4. California is (more populated, populateder) than Rhode Island.
5. The population is (more diverse, diverser) in California than it used to be.
6. Soccer is one of the (fastest, most fast) growing sports in the country.
7. In Europe, soccer is (more popular, most popular) than football.
8. Some people believe soccer is (more safe, safer) than football.
9. Kevin is the (quickest, most quick) player on our soccer team.
10. He kicks the ball (harder, more hard) than I do.
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
12.3 Adjectives That Compare
The comparative form of an adjective compares two things. To make the comparative formof a one-syllable adjective, you usually add -er to the end of the adjective. For longer adjec-tives, use the word more before the adjective.
The faster car won the drag race.Today is more beautiful than yesterday.
The superlative form of an adjective compares more than two things. For a one-syllableadjective, you usually add -est to the end of the adjective. For longer adjectives, use the wordmost before the adjective.
The fastest car at the track belongs to Mario.Sunday was the most beautiful day last week.
Do not use more or most before adjectives that already have -er or -est endings.
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 13 25
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
An adverb is underlined in each sentence below. Circle the verb the adverb modifies,and in the space provided, write whether the adverb tells how, when, or where.
English sparrows gobble bugs eagerly.
English sparrows gobble bugs eagerly. how
1. Starlings often live in the city. _______________________________________________
2. Sometimes, starlings are a nuisance to city people. _______________________________
3. Many people chase starlings away. ____________________________________________
4. In fact, some cities relentlessly wage war on starlings._____________________________
5. Starlings originally lived in Europe. ___________________________________________
6. They were first introduced to New York City in 1890._____________________________
7. They travelled westward. ___________________________________________________
8. Today many live east of the Rocky Mountains. __________________________________
9. Starlings sing beautifully. ___________________________________________________
10. However, sometimes they squeak and wheeze. __________________________________
Grammar Reteaching
13.1 Adverbs Modifying Verbs
An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Adverbs thatmodify verbs tell how, when, or where something happens.
The cat stretched lazily. [how]My friend often tells jokes. [when]The pioneers traveled westward. [where]
When an adverb modifies a verb, it may come before or after the verb or at the beginning orend of the sentence. Many adverbs, such as proudly, are formed by adding -ly to adjectives,but there are many other adverbs, such as after, often, now, and later.
Key Information
26 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 13
Directions
Study the underlined adverb in each sentence. Write the word it modifies, and tellwhich part of speech, adjective or adverb, the modified word is.
A male blue jay treats his mate quite well.
Word modified: well Part of Speech: adverb
1. Blue jays are very pretty birds.
Word modified: __________ Part of speech: __________
2. They are extremely clever.
Word modified: __________ Part of speech: __________
3. Sometimes they are rather mean.
Word modified: __________ Part of speech: __________
4. Jays chase somewhat smaller songbirds.
Word modified: __________ Part of speech: __________
5. They nearly always finish the smaller birds’ meals.
Word modified: __________ Part of speech: __________
6. The blue jay’s call can be quite loud.
Word modified: __________ Part of speech: __________
7. Its nest can be built somewhat sloppily.
Word modified: __________ Part of speech: __________
8. Blue jays’ nests are unusually strong.
Word modified: __________ Part of speech: __________
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
13.2 Adverbs Modifying Adjectives and Adverbs
Adverbs do not modify just verbs. They also can modify adjectives and other adverbs. Whenadverbs modify adjectives or other adverbs, they usually come right before the word theymodify.
The bird’s feathers were bright blue.
Becoming familiar with the adverbs that often modify adjectives or other adverbs will helpyou recognize them in sentences. The following adverbs commonly modify adjectives andother adverbs: very, too, almost, quite, really, so, partly, extremely, rather, nearly, barely,unusually, just, somewhat, totally, and hardly.
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 13 27
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
For each sentence below, write whether the verb is an action verb or a linking verb.Then write whether the underlined word is an adjective or an adverb.
The parakeet was clever. linking verb; adjective
1. The nest of a bee hummingbird is small._______________________________________
2. That bird sings melodiously. ________________________________________________
3. A finch’s lively activities are amusing. _________________________________________
4. Some pet birds fly rarely. ___________________________________________________
5. Bobwhites help farmers immensely.___________________________________________
6. Some birds live chiefly in forests._____________________________________________
7. Parakeets are acrobatic. ____________________________________________________
8. Some birds are valuable because of their unique abilities.__________________________
9. A robin’s music sounds good in early spring. ___________________________________
10. The other day, I did not feel well._____________________________________________
Grammar Reteaching
13.4 Telling Adjectives and Adverbs Apart
Adverbs and adjectives are sometimes confused, especially when they come after a verb.When you are not sure whether a word is an adjective or an adverb, look carefully at theverb. Adjectives usually follow linking verbs, and adverbs usually follow action verbs.
She sang happily.
Happily is an adverb modifying the action verb sang.
She is happy.
Happy is an adjective following the linking verb is. Happy modifies the subject she.
Bad and good are sometimes confused with badly and well. Remember that bad and goodare both adjectives. Badly and well are usually adverbs. Well is an adjective when it refers toa person’s health.
Key Information
28 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 13
Directions
Read each pair of sentences, and draw a line through the sentence containing a doublenegative.
We hadn’t ever imagined we would have a pet bird.
We hadn’t never imagined we would have a pet bird.
1. No bird has never been like my pet parakeet Brutus.
No bird has ever been like my pet parakeet Brutus.
2. That bird isn’t afraid of nothing.
That bird is afraid of nothing.
3. He isn’t afraid of nobody either.
He isn’t afraid of anybody either.
4. He doesn’t never stop chasing the cat.
He never stops chasing the cat.
5. None of us knows where he will show up next.
None of us doesn’t know where he will show up next.
6. We haven’t never found a way to keep that bird in a cage.
We haven’t ever found a way to keep that bird in a cage.
7. Our old dog doesn’t like anybody anymore.
Our old dog doesn’t like nobody anymore.
8. He doesn’t like nobody but Brutus, that is.
He likes nobody but Brutus, that is.
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
13.5 Avoiding Double Negatives
Negative words say “no” in a sentence.Not is a common negative word. It oftenappears in a contraction as -n’t. Affirmativewords say “yes” in a sentence. The follow-ing chart gives some key negative and affir-mative words.
Negative Affirmativenever ever, alwaysnone one, all, some, anynothing something, anything
Two negative words in a sentence make adouble negative. You can correct a dou-ble negative by removing one of the nega-tive words or by replacing one of thenegative words with an affirmative word.
I don’t know nothing. [double negative]I know nothing. [correct]I don’t know anything. [correct]
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 14 29
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Underline the prepositions.
Virginia Hamilton is a writer of many interesting children’s books.
1. She wrote books about Ohio.
2. Virginia Hamilton was born in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
3. She won a Newbery Medal for the novel M. C. Higgins, the Great.
4. The Newbery Medal is an annual award given to the author of the best children’sbook.
5. Virginia Hamilton created some excellent works of fiction.
6. She also collected folktales from cultures around the world.
7. The Caldecott Medal is awarded for the illustrations in children’s books.
8. David Macaulay won a Caldecott Medal in 1990.
9. Because of his interest in buildings, Macaulay studied architecture.
10. After that, he wrote many children’s books on architecture.
Grammar Reteaching
14.1 Prepositions
A preposition is a word that relates a noun or pronoun to another word in the sentence.
The squirrel ran up the tree.
Study the list of prepositions in your textbook. The list will help you recognize prepositions insentences.
Some prepositions are made up of more than one word. Some examples are according to,along with, because of, in spite of, on top of, across from, aside from, in front of, instead of,and out of.
Key Information
30 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 14
Directions
In the following sentences, the prepositions are underlined. Draw an arrow from the preposi-tions to their objects.
Children of all ages like books.
Children of all ages like books.
1. Hatchet is a book by Gary Paulsen about a plane crash.
2. A boy must survive in the wilderness.
3. Because of its popularity, Gary Paulsen wrote a sequel to it.
4. Three of his books have received Newbery Honor Awards.
5. Gary Paulsen writes about his own experiences.
6. Dragonsong is based on Paulsen’s experience in the Iditarod, a dogsled race acrossthe Arctic.
7. Katherine Paterson is another modern author who appeals to both boys and girlsin a variety of age groups.
8. She has received two Newbery Awards for her books.
9. Paterson’s best known book is probably Bridge to Terabithia, written in 1978.
10. It tells about a friendship between a boy and girl from different backgrounds.
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
14.2 Prepositional Phrases
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with anoun or pronoun called the object of the preposition .
I went to the grocery store.
A preposition can have a compound object—two or more objects joined by a connectingword.
I went to the store and the cleaners.
Often sentences will have more than one prepositional phrase. Prepositional phrases canappear anywhere in a sentence.
On Monday I went to the store.
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 14 31
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Each sentence has a compound object of a preposition. To help you decide which pronoun tochoose, first write the sentence with only the pronoun as the object of the preposition. Thenwrite the sentence with the compound object.
Please lend that book to Joan and (me, I).Please lend that book to me. Please lend that book to Joan and me.
1. I gave A Wrinkle in Time to Dan and (him, he). _________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. I wanted to read Hatchet, but Juan gave the book to Nita and (she, her).______________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. Ling read Castle aloud to Rachel and (we, us). __________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
4. Ling and Luci agreed to a switch between Russell and (they, them).__________________
_______________________________________________________________________
5. The teacher will sit between you and (I, me). ___________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
6. None of the books were given to (I, me)._______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
7. The teacher asked for book reviews from the boys and (we, us). ____________________
_______________________________________________________________________
8. The author spoke to the teacher and (I, me).____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Grammar Reteaching
14.3 Pronouns After Prepositions
When you use a pronoun as the object of a preposition, use an object pronoun such as me,you, her, him, us, it, them, or whom.
Yuri gave the book to me. To whom am I speaking?
When the object of a preposition is compound, be sure to use an object pronoun.
I’m going home with Bonita and her.
If you are not sure which pronoun to use in a compound object, say the sentence with onlythe pronoun as the object of the preposition. If the phrase sounds correct, you have probablychosen the correct pronoun.
Key Information
32 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 14
Directions
Write whether the underlined conjunctions join the parts of a compound sentence, acompound subject, or a compound predicate by writing compound sentence, compoundsubject, or compound predicate.
My mom drove us to the library, and Traci’s dad planned to take us home. compound sentence
1. We went to the library and looked for new books. __________________________
2. The River and The Winter Room were Juan’s first choices._____________________
3. Either Missing May or Journey appealed to Traci. ___________________________
4. Nita headed straight for Maniac Magee, and Russell went for Shiloh.____________
5. Neither Lester nor William could find the books he wanted. __________________
6. Ling had already read Hoops, but she hadn’t read Mop, Moondance, and theNagasake Knights.____________________________________________________
7. I planned to borrow The Westing Game, but I had to take Weasel instead.________
8. Dan borrowed the book Mossflower and read it quickly.______________________
9. I suggested Jacob Have I Loved to Lucie, but she has read it already._____________
10. Neither Russell nor Juan was ready to leave when Mr. Taylor said it was time to go. _________________________________________________________
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
14.6 Conjunctions
A conjunction is a word that joins words or groups of words in a sentence. The most com-mon conjunctions are the coordinating conjunctions and, but, and or. Conjunctions canbe used to form compound subjects, compound predicates, and compound sentences.Correlative conjunctions are conjunctions that work in pairs, including either...or, nei-ther...nor, and both...and. Remember that a comma is used before a conjunction connectingtwo simple sentences.
Jamil either pitches or plays shortstop.Bob ran fast, but Shirley tagged him out.Bob and Jamil play baseball.
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 14 33
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Underline each interjection.
Wow! Don’t you love a good book? Hey, I’ve been looking for you.
1. Hey! There’s a bookstore.
2. Gee, do you think we could stop in?
3. Wow! I really enjoy browsing in bookstores.
4. I wonder if they have any new books. Yes!
5. Gosh, I’ve been waiting for a new book by Mildred Taylor.
6. Oh, I read her last one, too.
7. Well, we have a little time.
8. Look! Here’s the book I’ve been waiting for.
9. I’ve been waiting for this book to come out in paperback. Great!
10. Aha! There’s A Wrinkle in Time.
Grammar Reteaching
14.7 Interjections
Some words or short phrases, called interjections, are used to express strong feelings. Theyare not complete sentences. Examples are great, oops, and ouch. Interjections that showstrong feeling are followed by an exclamation point. Milder interjections may be joined to asentence by a comma.
Aha! I’ve found you. Oh, there you are. We made it up the hill. Phew!
Key Information
34 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 15
Directions
Circle the subject in each sentence. Then underline the correct form of the verb inparentheses.
Boston (has, have) many outstanding museums.
Boston (has, have) many outstanding museums.
1. More than 600,000 people (lives, live) in Boston.
2. The John Hancock Building (is, are) the tallest building in New England.
3. Its observatory (offers, offer) a great view of the city.
4. Many generations (has, have) walked on Boston Common.
5. A common (is, are) land that is shared by people.
6. Many anti-slavery meetings (was, were) conducted in the African Meeting House, the old-est African American church building.
7. After the Revolutionary War, Massachusetts (was, were) the first state to free slaves.
8. The Freedom Trail (leads, lead) tourists past some of the historic landmarks of theRevolutionary War period.
9. Harvard University (date, dates) back to 1636.
10. Paul Revere (is, are) buried there.
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
15.1 Making Subjects and Verbs Agree
Subjects and verbs must agree in number. If the subject is singular, the verb should also besingular. If the subject is plural, the verb should be plural.
Whitney walks. The girls walk.
The irregular verbs be, do, and have may be main verbs or helping verbs, but in both cases,the verb must agree with its subject in number.
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 15 35
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Circle the subject of each sentence. Then underline each correct verb in parentheses.
The settlers of the new colony (has, have) to clear land.
The settlers of the new colony (has, have) to clear land.
1. There (is, are) no rest for the weary travellers.
2. Hard work from all family members (was, were) expected.
3. The fireplace in log cabins (is, are) the center of activity.
4. The source of light and heat (is, are) the fire.
5. A huge fire of logs (burns, burn) all night long.
6. Somebody in the family (has, have) to keep the fire burning.
7. There (is, are) no matches.
8. A member of the family (needs, need) to restart the fire if it goes out.
9. An entire family of six or more (live, lives) in a one-room cabin or shanty.
10. The children of the settlers eventually (take, takes) over the homestead.
Grammar Reteaching
15.2 Problems with Locating the Subject
Sometimes a prepositional phrase comes between the subject and the verb in a sentence.Make certain that the verb agrees with the subject of the sentence, not the object of thepreposition.
The people on the bus were sleeping.
The prepositional phrase on the bus separates the subject and the verb. Ask yourself who orwhat is doing the action. You may take out the prepositional phrase and say the sentence toyourself to check that the verb form is correct.
The people were sleeping.
Some sentences begin with here or there. These words are never subjects. In this type of sen-tence, look for the subject after the verb.
There are three apples in the bag.
Put the subject before the verb to help you find the correct verb form.
Key Information
36 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 15
Directions
Underline each compound subject, including the conjunction. Then circle the correctform of the verb in parentheses.
Neither my brother nor my sister (live, lives) in New England.
Neither my brother nor my sister (live, lives) in New England.
1. The Schuylkill River and the Delaware River (come, comes) together inPhiladelphia, the City of Brotherly Love.
2. Neither William Penn nor his fellow Quakers (realize, realizes) how large this earlysettlement will grow.
3. Imagine your family and your friends (is, are) living in 1775 under the rule of theking of England.
4. Neither your parents nor your older brother (thinks, think) England should raisetaxes in the colonies.
5. Your mother and father (worries, worry) that violence will break out.
6. Independence Hall and Graff House (is, are) important locations in the creation ofthe Declaration of Independence.
7. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams (is, are) two of the five chosen to write a decla-ration.
8. John Hancock and the other delegates (sign, signs) the document.
9. Political reform and social changes (occur, occurs) as a result of the Revolution.
10. Still, neither women nor slaves (have, has) full rights as citizens.
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
15.3 Agreement with Compound Subjects
A compound subject consists of two or more subjects joined by a conjunction. If the con-junctions and or both ... and join the parts of the subject, the subject is plural and the pluralform of the verb is used.
Both his son and his daughter help him plan family meals.
When the conjunctions or, nor, either ... or, or neither ... nor are used, the verb must agreewith the part of the subject that is closer to it.
Either he or his parents choose the main course.Either his parents or he chooses the main course.
Key Information
Directions
Underline the correct word or words in parentheses.
He poured the water (in, into) the cup.
1. Why did I (accept, except) that invitation?
2. I had (all ready, already) thrown some clothes into a bag .
3. I didn’t know we were going (all together, altogether).
4. (Beside, Besides) having to bait her hook, I have to sit (beside, besides) her in theboat.
5. When the boat was ready to (leave, let) the dock, my father decided to (leave, let)my sister steer.
6. The oars were (lose, loose).
7. We paddled for more (than, then) fifteen minutes, and (than, then) we reachedGrandpa’s favorite fishing spot.
8. As I (raise, rise) the fishing rod over my head to cast, the boat (raises, rises) withthe gentle waves.
9. I didn’t want to do anything (accept, except) sleep.
10. Please don’t (lose, loose) the directions.
11. (It’s, Its) too bad that (it’s, its) collar is lost.
12. (Lay, Lie) the book on the counter while you (lay, lie) down to rest.
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 16 37
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
16.1–2 Using Troublesome Words
Some words, such as it’s and its, are easy to confuse. Study the words in your book. Watchfor the words as you read and write. The only way to learn to distinguish between the con-fusing words is through memorization and practice. The more you use these words, theless confusing they will be.
Key InformationKey Information
38 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 18
Directions
Rewrite the sentences or phrases below, adding capital letters as needed.
the weatherman said, “the sky will be blue tomorrow.”
The weatherman said, “The sky will be blue tomorrow.”
1. one day I asked Mom, “could I work in Grandmother’s greenhouse over the summer?”
_______________________________________________________________________
2. “she always told me,” I explained, “that I could work for her when I was old enough.”
_______________________________________________________________________
3. mom suggested, “perhaps you should call her.”
_______________________________________________________________________
4. as soon as the phone rang, my grandma picked it up.
_______________________________________________________________________
5. “hello,” she said. “this is Olsen’s Greenhouse.”
_______________________________________________________________________
6. “grandma,” I answered, “may I come work with you this summer?”
_______________________________________________________________________
7. my grandmother teased, “if you write a letter of application, I’ll consider it.”
_______________________________________________________________________
8. “look for my letter this week,” I agreed.
_______________________________________________________________________
9. “dear Grandma,” my letter began.
_______________________________________________________________________
10. finally I could start earning my own money.
_______________________________________________________________________
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
18.1 Capitalizing Sentences, Quotations, and Salutations
Capitalize the first word of a sentence. Capitalize the first word of a direct quotation ifit is a complete sentence.
If a direct quotation is interrupted by a phrase such as she said, do not begin the second partof the quotation with a capital letter unless it is a separate sentence.
“Will you please pass the mustard,” Kathy mumbled, “and the salt?”The captain exclaimed, “Beam me up!”
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 18 39
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Explain why each underlined word or term is either capitalized or not. If you needhelp, refer to the rules in your textbook.
President George Washington title and name of a person
1. Robert E. Lee was a general in the Civil War.
_______________________________________________________________________
2. Did you know that General Lee was well respected for his military skills?
_______________________________________________________________________
3. William Carvey, Ph.D., my uncle, teaches history at the university.
_______________________________________________________________________
4. According to Uncle Bill, President Lincoln asked Lee to command the Union Army.
_______________________________________________________________________
5. Lee refused the president’s offer because he was loyal to the South.
_______________________________________________________________________
6. Even though the South lost, I think General Lee was a great leader.
_______________________________________________________________________
7. Robert E. Lee even surrendered with grace and dignity.
_______________________________________________________________________
8. People on both sides were moved by Lee’s surrender to General Grant at Appomattox.
_______________________________________________________________________
9. Will you take me to the museum, Father?
_______________________________________________________________________
10. My cousin is Felicia D. Huston, M.D.
_______________________________________________________________________
Grammar Reteaching
18.2 Capitalizing Names and Titles of People
The following are examples of how to capitalize the names and titles of people. For detailsabout these examples, refer to Writer’s Choice, page 475.
Delia J. Cintron Colonel Robert Pugh Ms. Cintron Marcus Welch, M.D.Doctor Jonas Salk researched a vaccination against polio.Later people congratulated him, “Well done, Doctor!”Tomorrow Mother and Cousin Lucia are going to the library.Lucia is my mother’s cousin, not mine.
Key Information
Directions
Rewrite each word or group of words in the space provided, using correct capitaliza-tion for names of places.
the great plains the Great Plains
1. san francisco bay _________________________________________________________
2. the cumberland gap _______________________________________________________
3. statue of liberty___________________________________________________________
4. mount mckinley __________________________________________________________
5. eastern ohio _____________________________________________________________
6. west fifth avenue__________________________________________________________
7. the east _________________________________________________________________
8. southeasterly wind ________________________________________________________
9. tropic of cancer___________________________________________________________
10. black hills _______________________________________________________________
40 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 18
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
18.3 Capitalizing Names of Places
These are examples of the use of capital letters in the names of places. For details aboutthese examples, refer to Writer’s Choice, page 477.
Zanesville Asia Ohio CaliforniaMuskingum County Lake Tahoe Australia Puget SoundScioto River Death Valley Gobi Desert Pike’s PeakTexas Panhandle Breadbasket of America Mohawk Street Golden Gate Bridgethe Northwest the West Coast the North the Southeastsouthereasterly wind northern Illinois Canada is north of Cleveland.
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 18 41
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Rewrite each word or group of words, using correct capitalization for proper nounsand adjectives.
girl scout cookies Girl Scout cookies
1. the star-spangled banner ___________________________________________________
2. every thursday ___________________________________________________________
3. labor day________________________________________________________________
4. american independent party ________________________________________________
5. national geographic ________________________________________________________
6. australian _______________________________________________________________
7. spanish american music ____________________________________________________
8. bill of rights _____________________________________________________________
9. conn’s potato chips________________________________________________________
10. winter __________________________________________________________________
Grammar Reteaching
18.4 Capitalizing Other Proper Nouns and Adjectives
These are examples of how to capitalize other proper nouns and adjectives. For details aboutthese examples, refer to Writer’s Choice, page 479.
Boy Scouts Goodwill Industries Republican PartyBrach’s candy Planters peanuts Maori artWar of the Roses Stone Age Magna CartaFriday April Yom KippurAcross Five Aprils Young Miss African American danceAfrican American Korean Latin
Key Information
42 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 19
Directions
Add the correct ending punctuation mark for each sentence in the space provided.
The students interviewed older people about slaveryThe students interviewed older people about slavery.
1. In 1966, the children of enslaved people were still alive ___________________________
2. Explain the project to me___________________________________________________
3. They had learned about slavery from their parents _______________________________
4. Did they tell some interesting stories__________________________________________
5. Do you know about the Underground Railroad _________________________________
6. What an exciting English project this is________________________________________
7. They tell me the students enjoyed it___________________________________________
8. They met some real ly interesting people _______________________________________
9. Did they find out how people lived their daily lives ______________________________
10. Write a story about your family’s history_______________________________________
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
19.1 Using the Period and Other End Marks
The ending punctuation mark you choose depends on whether your sentence is declarative,imperative, interrogative, or exclamatory. Use a period at the end of a declarative sentence,which makes a statement, and an imperative sentence, which makes a request. Use a ques-tion mark at the end of an interrogative sentence, or question. Use an exclamation pointat the end of an exclamatory sentence, which shows strong feeling. An exclamation point isalso used after an interjection, a word or phrase that shows strong feeling.
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 19 43
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Tell why each comma or pair of commas belongs in each sentence by writing items ina series, introductory word, two or more beginning prepositional phrases, words that inter-rupt the sentence’s flow, or name used in direct address.
We could not buy soap, of course, in the old days.
words that interrupt the sentence’s flow
1. Here’s how we used to wash clothes, Simone. ___________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. We used a big kettle, as I recall, made of brass. __________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. In a kettle of creek water, we boiled the clothes. _________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
4. We filled that kettle with dirty clothes, water, and lye soap. ________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
5. Yes, we also used the kettle for cooking.________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
6. No, we never bought soap at a store. __________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
7. After boiling the clothes, I think, we carried them to the creek. _____________________
_______________________________________________________________________
8. That was a really heavy load, DeWayne.________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
9. Sticks to beat the clothes with could not be made from oak, poplar, or chestnut. _______
_______________________________________________________________________
10. Oaken sticks would have broken down, become rough, and ruined the clothes. ________
_______________________________________________________________________
Grammar Reteaching
19.2 Using Commas I
Commas make your writing easier to read because they send a signal that tells your reader topause. Use commas to separate three or more items in a series and to show a pause after anintroductory word. Use a comma after two or more prepositional phrases at the beginning ofa sentence. Use commas to set off words that interrupt the flow of a sentence and to set offnouns of direct address.
Key Information
44 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 19
Directions
Add commas where they are needed. Hint: There is one comma missing in each num-bered item.
I enjoy writing to my friends but I like receiving letters even more.
I enjoy writing to my friends, but I like receiving letters even more.
(1) Dear Clarissa
(2) I like English class this year and I am working on an interesting project. (3) It is
hard but it is rewarding. (4) We are visiting people in nursing homes and we are mak-
ing an oral history based on their memories. (5) We record our interviews with a tape
recorder or we tape them with the school’s video recorder. (6) The residents tell us sto-
ries about their school days and we tell them about our school today. (7) Some of the
people seemed grouchy at first but they turned out to be very nice. (8) Instead of two
one student visited each room at first. (9) We thought two visitors might make the
people nervous and we were right.
(10) Your friend
Pablo
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
19.3 Using Commas II
Use commas to separate the parts of a compound sentence when they are joined by theconjunction and, but, or or. Place a comma before the conjunction.
Juanita writes letters, but Shirley makes telephone calls.
Use a comma after the salutation (greeting) and the closing of a friendly letter. Commas mayalso be used to prevent confusion for your reader.
After he left, the party was over.
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 19 45
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Add commas where they are needed in each sentence.
The race began when the man said “Go.”The race began when the man said, “Go.”
1. An encyclopedia is useful for locating facts and dates, and an almanac is a goodresource for finding facts and dates too.
2. A major earthquake occurred in San Francisco California on October 17 1989.
3. On May 4 1776 the colony of Rhode Island declared independence.
4. You can find out that Abraham Lincoln died in April 1865.
5. You can write to the Cincinnati Reds baseball team at 100 Riverfront StadiumCincinnati OH 45202.
6. This book gives the addresses of all the other major league teams too.
7. “Sometimes I look through the almanac just for fun” said James.
8. “It’s not” he added “a boring thing to do.”
9. Terrance Jackson M.D. uses it to find statistics for articles he writes.
10. Daytona Beach Florida has a large population.
Grammar Reteaching
19.4 Using Commas III
Some rules for comma usage are standard, including those for punctuating dates, addresses,and titles. Use commas before and after the year when it is used with the month and day.Use commas before and after the name of a state or country when it is used with the nameof a city, but not before a ZIP code. Commas set off an abbreviation for a title or degree thatfollows a person’s name. Use a comma before too when it means “also.” A comma or a pairof commas sets off a direct quotation.
Key Information
46 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 19
Directions
Remove the comma and the conjunction from each compound sentence and join thetwo parts of the sentence with a semicolon. Write the new sentence in the space pro-vided.
Some of these legends are well-known, but others are obscure.
Some of these legends are well-known; others are obscure.
1. Some figures in American folklore were real people, but some are just legends._________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. John Chapman lived from 1774 to 1845, and he planted apple trees in the Midwest. ____
_______________________________________________________________________
3. Calamity Jane was really Martha Jane Canary, and she rode for the Pony Express. ______
_______________________________________________________________________
4. Paul Bunyan was a giant, but he was a gentle giant. ______________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
5. Pocahontas was the daughter of a Native American chief, and she saved Captain John Smith’s life.__________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
6. Joel Chandler Harris wrote about a great storyteller, and the storyteller’s name was Uncle Remus. ____________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
7. Davy Crockett really fought at the Alamo, but he probably did not kill a bear when he was three years old.________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
8. Annie Oakley starred in a wild west show, and she was a champion target shooter.______
_______________________________________________________________________
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
19.5 Using Semicolons
A compound sentence is a sentence that consists of two simple sentences that have beenjoined together because they are closely related. The parts of a compound sentence may bejoined by a conjunction such as and, but, or or. When you do not use a conjunction, use asemicolon to join compound sentences.
Marla found a book on American folk heroes; she read it in one sitting.
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 19 47
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Insert colons where needed. There will be at least one colon in each numbered sen-tence.
My pet peeves are as follows bank machines that don’t work, broken appliances, and lettersof complaint.
My pet peeves are as follows: bank machines that don’t work, broken appliances, and let-ters of complaint.
(1) Dear Sir or Madam
(2) I am writing to complain about these appliances an alarm clock and an automatic
coffee maker. (3) I needed the alarm clock for these reasons I had a dental appoint-
ment and a job interview. (4) I wanted to be sure that I would arrive at exactly 830 at
the dentist’s office. (5) I set the alarm clock for 615 A.M. (6) I set the coffee maker for
630 A.M. (7) I was sure that I would be awakened by one of the following the ringing of
the alarm or the smell of coffee. (8) Well, the alarm clock did wake me up, but not
until 900. (9) The coffee maker started up at 630, but it did not make coffee. (10) I will
be visiting your store soon to return the following one broken alarm clock and one
broken coffee maker.
Respectfully,
Jerome Jackson
Grammar Reteaching
19.5 Using Colons
A colon can be used to introduce a list of items that ends a sentence. Use words such asthese, the following, as follows.
When you go to the store, please get the following: eggs, milk, and cheese.
You can also use a colon to separate the hour and the minute when you write the time andafter the salutation, or greeting, of a business letter.
12:23 A.M. Dear Ms. Hernandez:
Key Information
48 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 19
Directions
Add quotation marks to these sentences where they are needed. Use quotation marksto identify the exact words of a speaker.
Who said, Give me liberty or give me death?Who said, “Give me liberty or give me death”?
1. My father said, I know many famous quotations.
2. Benjamin Franklin said, Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy,wealthy, and wise.
3. I have not yet begun to fight! shouted John Paul Jones.
4. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is famous for saying, I have a dream.
5. Ask not what your country can do for you, said John F. Kennedy.
6. Hamlet muses, To be or not to be; that is the question.
7. Not knowing that Jefferson had died, John Adams exclaimed on his deathbed,Thomas Jefferson lives!
8. Do you know who said The hills are filled with gold?
9. Andrew asked, Will somebody help me find a quotation by Emily Dickinson?
10. Ms. Little said, Emily Dickinson is my favorite poet.
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
19.6 Using Quotation Marks
Quotation marks let the reader know the exact words of a speaker. A quotation may begin asentence, end a sentence, or may be divided in the middle by a phrase such as she said,which is separated from the quotation by commas. Commas belong outside the openingquotation marks but inside closing quotation marks. Periods are placed inside closing quota-tion marks, too.
He said, “I enjoy reading famous quotations.”
The position of a question mark or exclamation point depends on the sentence. Both marksbelong inside the quotation marks when they are part of the quotation. They belong outsidethe quotation marks when they are part of the whole sentence.
Key Information
Grammar Reteaching
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 19 49
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Punctuate the titles correctly by adding quotation marks or by underlining to showitalics.
Reader’s Digest
Reader’s Digest
1. The Cat Ate My Gymsuit (book) _____________________________________________
2. My Favorite Martian (television series) ________________________________________
3. Keeping Cool (essay) ______________________________________________________
4. New York Times (newspaper) _______________________________________________
5. The Raven (poem) ________________________________________________________
6. Beauty and the Beast (movie version) _________________________________________
7. Beauty and the Beast (play version)___________________________________________
8. Beauty and the Beast (song)_________________________________________________
9. Beauty and the Beast (short story)____________________________________________
10. Mad for Plaid (newspaper article) ____________________________________________
11. The Cat in the Hat (book) __________________________________________________
12. Aladdin (movie)__________________________________________________________
13. A Tale of Two Cities (book) _________________________________________________
14. City to Build New Park (newspaper article)_____________________________________
15. Cats (play) ______________________________________________________________
Grammar Reteaching
19.6 Using Quotation Marks and Italics
Italics are often used to identify titles. Use italics to identify the titles of books, plays, films,television series, magazines, and newspapers. Enclose titles of short stories, essays, poems,songs, magazine or newspaper articles, and book chapters in quotation marks.
Key Information
50 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 19
Directions
Using the form given in parentheses, change the underlined word or words in eachsentence. Rewrite the sentence with the new word.
(compound noun) My friend’s great grandmother was named Mary.
My friend’s great-grandmother was named Mary.
1. (possessive) Lucy childhood is going by so quickly._______________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2. (possessive) Children toys are very different today. _______________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
3. (possessive) My family members favorite shows are game shows.____________________
_______________________________________________________________________
4. (contraction) That is a pastime we still enjoy today. ______________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
5. (compound noun) Her great uncle is still remembered for winning those games._______
_______________________________________________________________________
6. (possessive) Mary rag dolls keep her busy.______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
7. (possessive) (hyphen) Her six brothers favorite game was hide and seek.______________
_______________________________________________________________________
8. (possessive) Thinking of things to do was Jamil job. ______________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
9. (compound number) If Mary were still alive, she would be almost ninety sevenyears old.________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
10. (contraction) She would remember her family every year on their birthdays___________
_______________________________________________________________________
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
19.7 Using Apostrophes and Hyphens
Use an apostrophe to show possession and to form contractions.
Tom’s men’s isn’t can’t
Use a hyphen to divide a word between syllables at the end of a line. Compound numbersand some compound nouns, such as father-in-law, use hyphens.
sixty-five great-uncle
Key Information
Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 19 51
Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Directions
Write the abbreviation for each word or group of words in the space provided.
Boulevard blvd.
1. Girl Scouts of America _____________
2. Wednesday ______________________
3. December _______________________
4. New Mexico _____________________
5. Street___________________________
6. Junior __________________________
7. Mister __________________________
8. Doctor__________________________
9. Texas ___________________________
10. before noon______________________
11. Alaska __________________________
12. January _________________________
13. National Football League ___________
14. Senior __________________________
15. after noon _______________________
Grammar Reteaching
19.8 Using Abbreviations
Abbreviations save time and space. Titles before names and professional or academic degreesthat follow names are often abbreviated.
Dr. Alvarez Jane Mitter, Ph.D.
The names of certain government agencies and organizations may also be abbreviated.
Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI
The abbreviations A.M. and P.M. are used for time and B.C. and A.D. for dates.
Some abbreviations are appropriate only in certain kinds of writing. Abbreviate calendaritems only in charts and lists.
Fri. Oct.
In scientific writing, abbreviate units of measure. Abbreviate street names if you are writinginformally. In writing addresses, use the special abbreviations from the Postal Service’s list forthe names of states.
Key Information
52 Writer’s Choice: Grammar Reteaching, Grade 6, Unit 19
Directions
Rewrite each sentence in the space provided. Follow the rules to spell out the numberin parentheses or write it as a numeral.
Today is January (25), 2001. Today is January 25, 2001.
1. There were (25) people on the trip. ___________________________________________
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2. Do you think there are more than (10,000,000) stars?_____________________________
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3. School starts at (8:00) A.M. __________________________________________________
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4. (450) seniors graduated last year._____________________________________________
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5. The poll shows that (50) percent of the people agree with me.______________________
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6. We had a special party for my brother’s (16th) birthday. __________________________
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7. My cat Boots won (1st) place at the regional cat show. ____________________________
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8. We are leaving at (6) o’clock this evening. ______________________________________
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Name ...................................................................................... Class .................................................. Date ................................
Grammar Reteaching
19.9 Writing Numbers
Sometimes numbers are spelled out in sentences, but sometimes they may be written asnumerals. Spell out numbers if they can be written in one or two words, if the numberbegins a sentence, or if they appear as ordinal numbers.
one hundred four sixth
Spell out the time of day unless it is used with the abbreviation A.M. or P.M. to express theexact time.
six o’clock 9:15 A.M.
Write numbers with numerals when the number is longer than two words or when it is avery large number. Use numerals to express the exact time of day and to write dates, houseand street numbers, apartment and room numbers, telephone numbers, amounts of moneythat are more than two words, and percentages.
Key Information
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